CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
DECEMBER 13, 2022
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills Estates was called to order by MAYOR ZERUNYAN at 7:08 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN’s granddaughters.
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan and Zuckerman
City Council Members Absent: None
City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
City Attorney Don Davis
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Administrative Services Director Mike Whitehead
Public Works Director David Wahba
Community Development Director Jeannie Naughton
Community Services Supervisory Pinuelas
Management Analyst Jessica Slawson
Administrative Aide Gabrielle Swain
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
The following routine matters will be acted upon by one vote to approve with the majority consent of the City Council. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless good cause is shown by a member prior to the roll call vote. (Items removed will be considered under New Business.) COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 4A-M AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan and Zuckerman
ABSENT: None
A. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY
APPROVED.
B. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF NOVEMBER 2022
APPROVED WARRANTS 65684 THROUGH 65795 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$812,506.67 AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 110122 THROUGH
110522; 120122 THROUGH 120422; 65775 VOID; IN THE AMOUNT OF $321,508.41 FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,134,015.08 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT OF OCTOBER 2022
RECEIVED AND FILED.
D. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT OF OCTOBER 2022
RECEIVED AND FILED.
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DECEMBER 13, 2022
E. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 8, 2022
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
F. EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 24, 2022
RECEIVED AND FILED.
G. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 7, 2022
RECEIVED AND FILED.
H. PARK & ACTIVITIES COMMISSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 14, 2022 RECEIVED AND FILED.
I. PALOS VERDES PENINSULA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AND REGION CONTRACT LAW COMMITTEE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 2022
RECEIVED AND FILED.
J. SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS OF OCTOBER 27, 2022
RECEIVED AND FILED.
K. COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE 2022 ATTENDANCE REPORT
RECEIVED AND FILED.
L. TRACY AUSTIN DOUBLES TENNIS TOURNAMENT DEBRIEF
RECEIVED AND FILED.
M. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CONTINUED USE OF
TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY PROCEDURES TO CONDUCT PUBLIC MEETINGS PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 361
ADOPTED RESOLUTION 2535 TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT AND UTILIZE TELECONFERENCE
ACCESSIBILITY PROCEDURES TO CONDUCT PUBLIC MEETINGS
PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 361.
5. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. PRESENTATION TO RETIRING COUNCIL MEMBER STEVEN ZUCKERMAN MAYOR ZERUNYAN thanked and recognized COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN on his 25 years on the City Council, and briefly highlighted his many accomplishments.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN presented COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN with gifts including a commemorative hat, a City of Rolling Hills Estates street sign from City staff titled “Zuckerman Way”, and a photo book encapsulating his 25 years on the City Council.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN expressed his appreciation for the gifts, recognitions, staff, and his City Council colleagues.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN introduced those present to make presentations to COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN:
Representative Eric Ponce-Furlos thanked COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN on behalf of Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi for his 25 years of service.
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DECEMBER 13, 2022
MAYOR ZERUNYAN presented a scroll to COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN on behalf of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
City of Lomita Mayor Barry Waite recognized COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN and presented him with a certificate of recognition.
Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Pro Tem John Cruikshank, as Chair of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) recognized COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN.
Rosa Kwon Easton on behalf of the Palos Verdes Library District presented a certificate of recognition to COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN.
Matthew Brach on behalf of the Palos Verdes Unified School district recognized COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN.
Martin Gombert, on behalf of Palos Verdes Transit Authority presented COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN with a commemorative bus award.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Brian Bennett presented COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN with a scroll.
On behalf of the Clean Power Alliance, Ted Bardacke, recognized COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN virtually.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN noted that certificates were also received by Congressman Ted Lieu, Senator Ben Allen, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lomita Station, the City of Rolling Hills and the City of Palos Verdes Estates.
COUNCIL MEMBERS STEGURA, SCHMITZ, MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF, City Manager Grammar, City Attorney Davis and MAYOR ZERUNYAN each thanked COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN for the impact he’s had on each of them, and for his 25 years of service to the City and Community.
6. OATH OF OFFICE
The Oath of Office was performed by Assistant City Manager Davis for MAYOR PRO TEM BRITT HUFF and COUNCIL MEMBER-ELECT PAM BROWN SCHACHTER.
7. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION & RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING MAYOR MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF thanked MAYOR ZERUNYAN for his service to the City of Rolling Hills Estates and the greater community, and reviewed the many accomplishments achieved during his term as Mayor during 2022.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN opened several gifts to thank him for his service and dedication, including a commemorative Rolling Hills Estates pandemic mask, a framed photo of the Armenian Genocide Dedication Ceremony, and an updated Mayoral Gavel Plaque listing his four terms as Mayor.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF introduced those present to make presentations to MAYOR ZERUNYAN:
Representative Eric Ponce-Furlos thanked MAYOR ZERUNYAN for his year of service as Mayor.
City of Lomita Mayor Barry Waite recognized MAYOR ZERUNYAN and presented him with a certificate of recognition.
Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Pro Tem John Cruikshank recognized MAYOR ZERUNYAN.
Rosa Kwon Easton on behalf of the Palos Verdes Library District presented a certificate of recognition to MAYOR ZERUNYAN.
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DECEMBER 13, 2022
Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Brian Bennett presented MAYOR ZERUNYAN with a scroll to recognize him.
Matthew Brach on behalf of the Palos Verdes Unified School district recognized MAYOR ZERUNYAN.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF noted that certificates were also received by Senator Ben Allen, Congressman Ted Lieu, Supervisor Janice Hahn, the City of Rolling Hills and the City of Palos Verdes Estates.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN expressed his appreciation for the recognitions and for his fellow Council Members and staff for their work and support throughout the year.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN nominated MAYOR PRO TEM BRITT HUFF to serve as MAYOR.
The motion was approved by acclimation.
MAYOR HUFF then nominated COUNCIL MEMBER VELVETH SCHMITZ to serve as MAYOR PRO TEM.
The motion was approved by acclimation.
MAYOR HUFF thanked the residents of Rolling Hills Estates for the privilege of serving on the City Council and for being reelected, and thanked the City Council for supporting her as Mayor, and for the years they have all worked together, especially getting through the pandemic. ***
At 8:13 p.m. MAYOR HUFF adjourned the meeting to a brief reception.
MAYOR HUFF called the meeting back to order at 8:38 p.m. ***
8. PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Martin Gombert, Administrator for the Palos Verdes Transit Authority (PVTA), spoke regarding the free New Year’s Eve bus services offered across the Peninsula.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
10. NEW BUSINESS
A. EQUINE EMERGENCY SHELTERING AGREEMENT
Recommendation: That the City Council enter into the attached Agreement with the County of Los Angeles (Department of Animal Care and Control) for the provision of a physical facility to serve as an emergency public shelter at Ernie Howlett Park for large animals in the event of a major emergency or disaster.
Management Analyst Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN thanked staff for bringing forward this agreement, and noted that Rolling Hills Estates has done agreements like this in the past.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA seconded COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN’s sentiments, and confirmed with the City Attorney that this contract does not replace one currently in existence. She also confirmed with Management Analyst Slawson that the City’s Facility Coordinator as defined in the contract would be Maintenance Superintendent Mike Goldsmith.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA also noted that during the last Park & Activities Commission CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5
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meeting, Commissioner Persichina commented that Ernie Howlett Park was difficult to get horses in and out of. Management Analyst Slawson explained that members of the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control conducted two site visits to determine ingress and egress of the park. The park and arenas are used daily for horses and horse shows are held there, and with this information the Department of Animal Care & Control and Superintendent Goldsmith felt comfortable with the facility being used for this purpose.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
(DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL) FOR THE PROVISION
OF A PHYSICAL FACILITY TO SERVE AS AN EMERGENCY PUBLIC
SHELTER AT ERNIE HOWLETT PARK FOR LARGE ANIMALS IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR EMERGENCY OR DISASTER.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura and Zerunyan ABSENT: None
B. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 220504
DETERMINATION THAT UNLISTED USE IS SIMILAR TO AND NOT MORE OBJECTIONABLE THAN USES ALREADY LISTED SECTION 17.04.030 OF THE
ROLLING HILLS ESTATES MUNICIPAL CODE
LOCATION: 712 DEEP VALLEY DRIVE
Recommendation: That the City Council receive the staff memo, discuss the issues, and adopt Resolution No. 220478, determining that a tattoo and body piercing studio is similar to and not more objectionable than other services uses already listed in RHEMC Section 17.30.020, and determining that in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq.: “CEQA”), the application is Categorically Exempt under Class 1, Section 15301 Existing Facilities.
Planning Director Naughton provided a staff report (as per the agenda material). She noted the following typographical error: the title of the Resolution should be “Resolution 2537, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills Estates…” Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS AMENDED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2537 AS AMENDED, DETERMINING THAT A
TATTOO AND BODY PIERCING STUDIO IS SIMILAR TO AND NOT MORE
OBJECTIONABLE THAN OTHER SERVICES USES ALREADY LISTED IN RHEMC SECTION 17.30.020, AND DETERMINING THAT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (PUBLIC
RESOURCES CODE § 21000 ET SEQ.: “CEQA”), THE APPLICATION IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT UNDER CLASS 1, SECTION 15301 EXISTING FACILITIES.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura and Zerunyan ABSENT: None
City Manager Grammer read Resolution No. 2537 by title.
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DECEMBER 13, 2022
C. CALIFORNIA SPECIFIED GRANT FUNDS AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION FOR
NATURE CENTER PROJECT APPLICATION
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2536 to approve all application documents for California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services Specified Grants Programs for the George F Canyon Nature Center project in the amount of $1.2 million and authorize staff to submit the application forms accordingly.
Community Services Supervisor Pinuelas provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA thanked Senator Ben Allen for helping the City procure this grant, along with all staff involved, Council Member Zerunyan and former Council Member Zuckerman who assisted in the process.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2536 TO APPROVE ALL APPLICATION
DOCUMENTS FOR CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND
RECREATION OFFICE OF GRANTS AND LOCAL SERVICES SPECIFIED
GRANTS PROGRAMS FOR THE GEORGE F CANYON NATURE CENTER
PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1.2 MILLION AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION FORMS ACCORDINGLY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura and Zerunyan ABSENT: None
City Manager Grammer read Resolution No. 2536 by title.
D. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 220499
DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF CHAPTER 17.56 OF THE ROLLING HILLS ESTATES MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
LOCATION: CITYWIDE
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the informational item. Staff will return to City Council with an Urgency Ordinance for consideration at its meeting on January 24, 2023.
Planning Director Naughton provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN SCHACHTER thanked Planning Manager Naughton for a clear and thorough staff report.
Discussion ensued regarding overnight parking in relation to ADU’s and JADU’s.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
RECEIVE AND FILE.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura and Zerunyan ABSENT: None
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DECEMBER 13, 2022
E. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITIES OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES, PALOS VERDES ESTATES, ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, AND ROLLING HILLS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “KNOW YOUR ZONE”
EVACUATION WEB PLATFORM
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Palos Verdes Peninsula Cities as approved to form by the City Attorney with the established not-to-exceed total cost of $10,000, with the Rolling Hills Estates share estimated at $1,300 first year implementation.
Management Analyst Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA CITIES AS APPROVED TO FORM BY THE
CITY ATTORNEY WITH THE ESTABLISHED NOT-TO-EXCEED TOTAL COST OF $10,000, WITH THE ROLLING HILLS ESTATES SHARE ESTIMATED AT $1,300 FIRST YEAR IMPLEMENTATION.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura and Zerunyan ABSENT: None
11. OLD BUSINESS
A. UPDATE ON LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAFER AT HOME ORDER (VERBAL
REPORT)
City Manager Grammer reported that COVID case numbers have begun to level off, and Los Angeles County is currently still in the high-transmission level. There have been no changes to the current Los Angeles County Health Officer Order.
12. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
City Attorney Davis stated that he would be providing updates to the recent legislation regarding the Governor’s State of Emergency that allows the Council to meet in a hybrid format, as well as revisions to the Brown Act.
13. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER stated she looks forward to her service on the City Council over the next four years and appreciates the support of current and former City Council Members.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN stated he looks forward to the entire City Council attending the California Contract Cities Association’s Legislative Forum in Sacramento in January.
MAYOR HUFF attended the Cal Cities State Board of Director’s meeting in Monterey and also attended the CalCOG Board meeting.
14. CLOSED SESSION
None.
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15. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:14 p.m. MAYOR HUFF adjourned the City Council meeting in memory of John Taber.
The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, January 24, 2022, at 9:19 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular Meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit Britt Huff
City Clerk Mayor